YOUR DESIGN. THE RIGHT PRINTING METHOD.
Screen printing or digital printing?
Both can make great custom apparel. The right choice depends on your artwork, how many pieces you need, the garments you choose and your deadline. Here’s a little guidance to help you get started.
Not sure? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Share your project and ask us to recommend a printing method.
SCREEN PRINTING
Simple artwork. Bigger groups.
Screen printing uses separate screens to apply the ink colors in your design. It is often a good value when you need many pieces with the same artwork and a limited number of colors.
A good starting point for
- Business and team logos with a few solid colors.
- Metallic inks and bright neon colors.
- Event shirts and larger group orders with matching artwork.
- Designs where a specific ink color matters. Let us know if you need a Pantone color match.
How pricing works
Your decorating price depends on the quantity and the number of ink colors at each print location. Front and back are priced separately. On colored garments, light inks may need a white underbase, which can count as an additional color.
Tell us the colors you see in your artwork. We’ll confirm the printable ink count during review, including any underbase or special requirements.
FULL-COLOR DIGITAL PRINTING (DTF)
More colors. Smaller orders.
Direct-to-film printing creates your design on a transfer that is applied to the garment with a heat press. It is often a practical choice for smaller orders, photographs, gradients and artwork with many colors.
Fabric and color limitations
DTF adheres to all fabric types, but we do not recommend it on polyester fleece. The heat press can melt the fleece and leave a permanent press mark.
DTF does not offer metallic inks, neon colors or exact Pantone color matches. If your design needs those effects or precise ink matching, ask us about screen printing.
A good starting point for
- Full-color images, photographs and detailed artwork.
- Small group orders and one-off projects.
- Designs where you want several colors without pricing each ink color separately.
How pricing works
Your decorating price depends on the printed design size and quantity at each location. All design colors are included in that rate. Front and back are priced separately, and the displayed decorating charge will include application.
The size that matters is the actual printed artwork—not the dimensions of the uploaded image file. We’ll confirm the final width, height and placement with you.
Small orders: what fees apply?
- Screen printing orders under 12 shirts: a screen fee of $35 per charged ink color, per artwork and print location is added to the printing charge. This is a screen fee, not a per-shirt fee. The 12–23 quantity rate is used for the printing itself.
- All orders under 6 shirts: an additional $25 small-order fee applies once per order, whether you choose DTF, screen printing or a mix of both. It is added on top of garments, printing and any other applicable fees.
These thresholds use the total number of garments in your order, including different sizes, colors, styles and artwork groups. At 6 shirts, the $25 small-order fee no longer applies. At 12 shirts, the under-12 screen fees no longer apply.
Light inks on colored garments may need a white underbase. When needed, it counts as an additional charged screen color. We confirm the ink count during artwork review. Your estimate shows printing, screen fees and the small-order fee separately.
Ordering fewer than 12 shirts? Consider DTF to avoid the per-color screen fees. It is not always the cheaper option: compare both methods using your print sizes, ink counts, locations and quantity. Metallic inks, neon colors and exact Pantone matching require screen printing; DTF is not recommended on polyester fleece.
Pickup saves $10–$15
Choose pickup instead of shipping when configuring your order:
- A+ Images · Indianapolis: $15 off your order.
- Rose Promos Avon: $10 off your order.
- Rose Promos Brownsburg: $10 off your order.
- Shirt Tales · Plainfield: $10 off your order.
The pickup discount applies once per order to garment and decorating charges. It does not reduce screen fees, the $25 small-order fee or rush charges. The discount is capped at the garment and decorating value. Shipping orders receive no pickup discount; shipping and tax are quoted separately. Our team confirms pickup availability and timing before production.
A few examples
- A small order with a full-color photo: digital printing is a good place to start.
- A large order with a one-color logo: screen printing is a good place to start.
- A design with metallic or neon colors, or an exact Pantone matching requirement: ask us about screen printing; these options are not available in DTF.
- A multicolor logo on several garment styles: ask us to compare the options for your exact project.
What if I choose the wrong method?
Your choice is a starting point. We review the artwork, garment compatibility, quantities and timing before confirming the order. If another method would suit your project better, we’ll explain the option and its price before you approve it.
What should I send you?
- Your artwork, or a description of what you want to create.
- The garment styles, colors, sizes and quantities you’re considering.
- Where you want printing: front, back or another location.
- An approximate print size, if you know it.
- Your requested completion date and whether you need pickup or shipping.
- Your budget or priorities, if you’d like us to help narrow the options.
Different garments, print locations and artwork can change which method is suitable. Specialty placements, artwork preparation, color matching and rush production may affect the quote. We’ll identify applicable charges before payment.
Let us help you choose
Start your project and add “Please recommend a printing method” in your notes. We’ll review the details and help you decide.
Prefer to talk it through? Email info@shirtresponders.com or call 463-895-5911.
Garment pricing is separate from decorating. Final print dimensions, placement and artwork require proof approval. Requested rush dates depend on garment availability and production capacity. Production turnaround and shipping transit are separate.